Departments: Written Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Leader of the House how many and what percentage of questions tabled for answer on a named day received a substantive answer on the day due in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by answering department.

Helen Goodman: Individual Departments are responsible for keeping their own records on the timeliness of answers and providing this information to the House when requested by the Public Administration Select Committee or through Members' questions. To provide this information centrally could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	The last available figures of the Leader of the House of Commons Office relate to the 2005-06 session. These show that 100 per cent. of the 71 named day questions tabled were answered on the date specified.

Members: Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Leader of the House how many  (a) debates and  (b) votes there have been on the subject of hon. Members' pensions since 1997.

Helen Goodman: The following debates and votes relating to Members' pensions have been identified by the Journal Office as having taken place on the Floor of the House since 1997:
	5 July 2001 (implementation of the elements of the 2001 SSRB report relating to MPs' pensions):
	Motion on Parliamentary Pensions (divisions on amendments moved by hon. Members for Bournemouth, West (Sir John Butterfill) and for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Evan Harris)).
	3 November 2004 (implementation of the elements of the 2004 SSRB report relating to MPs' pensions):
	(1) Motion on Parliamentary Pensions (Contribution Rate);
	(2) Motion on Parliamentary Pensions (Survivor Benefits and Early Retirement).
	In addition, there was a debate in a delegated legislation committee on 23 July 2002 on the Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No 1807) (followed by a division).

Blue Badge Scheme

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what Government research has been undertaken into the independent mobility needs of  (a) people with mental health problems,  (b) partially sighted people,  (c) people with severe learning and/or behavioural difficulties and  (d) people with severe autism to determine their eligibility for a Blue Badge;
	(2)  whether her Department has issued, on behalf of all four UK administrations, guidance specifying the criteria for further assessment of applicants for Blue Badge parking permits;
	(3)  whether children under two years old whose medical needs require the transport of bulky equipment at all times have been made eligible under the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme;
	(4)  what progress her Department has made towards ensuring nationally consistent eligibility criteria for those subject to further assessment under the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme;
	(5)  whether assessments of independent mobility for the Blue Badge parking scheme are routinely undertaken by a health professional other than the applicant's GP;
	(6)  whether, where entitlement to a Blue Badge is linked to receipt of the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, the period of issue is linked to that of receipt of the allowance;
	(7)  what progress has been made towards establishing a national, centrally funded, database of Blue Badge holders;
	(8)  whether Blue Badge applicants automatically entitled by their receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance are required to give explicit consent to the sharing of personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Rosie Winterton: Research into the mobility needs of certain disability groups who may not be eligible for the Blue Badge under the current eligibility criteria, was completed earlier this year. This included people with severe autism, mental health difficulties, learning and/or behavioural difficulties and people who are partially sighted. The findings were considered as part of the strategic review of the scheme, which reported to me in September and will contribute to the publication of a comprehensive Blue Badge reform strategy by April 2008.
	All English authorities will be issued with revised guidance later this year. As responsibility for the scheme is devolved in the UK, the administrations for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are producing their own guidance separately.
	Following changes I announced recently, children under the age of two, who are dependent upon bulky medical equipment, have been eligible for a badge under the scheme from 15 October 2007.
	The Department for Transport recognises the need to promote greater consistency of assessment. This is a key theme which is being addressed through our strategic review and forthcoming Blue Badge reform strategy. The revised local authority guidance, due for publication later this year, will also help to clarify the assessed eligibility process.
	The medical assessment practice varies between different local authorities. We are committed to actively promoting good practice guidance in this area and are engaging with the Department of Health on this issue.
	From 15 October 2007, certain badges are now linked to the receipt and issue period of both the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance and war pensioners' mobility supplement.
	Research into the feasibility of a national database was completed earlier this year. The findings were considered as part of the strategic review of the scheme, which will contribute to the publication of a comprehensive Blue Badge reform strategy by April 2008.
	All local authorities have a duty to comply with the Data Protection Act 1988. The revised local authority guidance, due for publication later this year, will provide additional advice on this area and a model data protection statement for Blue Badge applicants to complete.

Taxis

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions control whether Hackney carriages outside London may collect customers after being hailed off the street, outside a taxi rank.

Rosie Winterton: The law allows the drivers of licensed hackney carriages to accept immediate hirings from passengers either when the cabs are standing at a rank or in response to a hailing in the street. The drivers are, however, only permitted to accept such hirings while located in the area for which they are licensed. If a driver drops off a passenger outside his own licensing area he cannot respond to a street hailing (or stand at a rank) until he returns to his own licensing area.

Aggregates Levy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which beneficiaries of the Aggregates Levy Sustainable Fund received more than £50,000 in any one year in each year since the inception of the levy.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund database contains details of overall amounts paid out to projects from April 2004 onwards, but we do not have annual payments recorded centrally. I have arranged for a list of beneficiaries that have received over £50,000 from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, since April 2004, to be placed in the Library of the House.

Carbon Sequestration: Peat

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the merits of natural peatlands as net absorbers of carbon dioxide; and what measures are in place to protect peatlands to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

Phil Woolas: Peatlands are a significant store of carbon in the UK and require protection. A substantial proportion of these are found in Scotland. However, in terms of absorbing carbon dioxide, the potential is limited, due to their slow growth.
	DEFRA is currently seeking to develop its understanding of the risks to this carbon store and to investigate the best means of protecting peatlands and the biodiversity they support. The Department is in the process of setting up a cross-governmental project that is intended to form part of DEFRA's new soil strategy for England. This will ensure that DEFRA and its agencies co-ordinate their activity on peat soils and liaise effectively with the devolved administrations as well as identifying best practice for protecting peatlands and putting in place the appropriate measures.
	However, to a large extent, land managers are already protecting peatlands for their biodiversity value under agri-environment schemes and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Around 230,000 hectares of peatlands are currently managed under agri-environment agreements in England.

Cattle: Disease Control

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a cattle vaccine for  (a) foot and mouth disease,  (b) blue tongue and (c) bovine TB.

Jonathan R Shaw: A large number of foot and mouth vaccines for a range of different strains are already held in the UK vaccine bank at the Merial production facility in Pirbright This is the only facility licensed to produce foot and mouth disease vaccines in the UK. As soon as we identified the precise strain of the circulating virus we ordered 300,00 doses to be made ready for use. This vaccine is licensed for use in cattle and other species and the production was cleared by the Health and Safety Executive and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
	However, DEFRA has decided not to vaccinate at this time as the epidemiological evidence concludes that the risk of the infection spreading out of Surrey is very low. Therefore, the slaughter of animals on infected premises and dangerous contacts remains the most effective way of eradicating the disease.
	There is currently no suitable vaccine for the bluetongue serotype 8 available; as this serotype only emerged in Europe last year. However, we are aware of several companies who are developing such a vaccine for use in cattle and sheep and we are in urgent discussions with them to do what we can to encourage this work. We are also developing a plan with the industry as to how a vaccination campaign would work once a vaccine becomes available, is licensed, safe and effective for use; we hope this will be next year.
	While progress is being made on the development of a TB vaccine for cattle, vaccination as a practical TB control measure is still some way off. DEFRA-funded research has successfully identified lead candidate vaccines and we are now starting to look at delivery protocols. Research is also continuing on tests to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA tests). It is important to note that development of a successful TB vaccine cannot be guaranteed, and that if a vaccine can be developed it will only form one part of a balanced package of measures to control the disease.

Departments: Foot and Mouth Disease

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with Ministry of Defence ministers or officials on restrictions on civilian leisure activities on Ministry of Defence land as a result of foot and mouth disease.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA is in regular contact with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and, during the recent foot and mouth outbreaks, we have had a range of discussions. During the initial outbreaks, DEFRA was in daily contact with the MoD to clarify public access arrangements and countryside activities in high risk areas.
	During the initial outbreaks in August, at the request of DEFRA, officials from Defence Estates, the relevant MoD organisation, assisted Surrey county council in closing MoD public land within the protection zone.
	In line with DEFRA guidelines, MoD has not imposed any public access or leisure restrictions on their land in low risk areas during the recent outbreaks.

Departments: General Elections

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency preparations his Department made for the possibility of a general election in autumn 2007; and what the costs were of those preparations.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Edward Miliband) on 15 October 2007,  Official  Report column 823W.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 156-7W on domestic wastes: waste disposal, to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath, what estimate has been made of the proportion of household rubbish collected for recycling that is not recycled in local authorities which do not have material recycling facilities.

Joan Ruddock: No specific assessment has been made by my Department on the proportion of household rubbish collected for recycling not recycled in local authorities which do not have material recycling facilities.
	The challenging recycling and composting targets set for all local authorities in England mean that it is in the authority's interest to recycle or compost as much of the viable material collected. Local authorities without local facilities may either use facilities in other areas, or send recyclables for reprocessing outside the UK.
	When reporting data to WasteDataFlow, local authorities should specify the amount of waste collected for recycling that is subsequently rejected at the point of collection, at a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), or at the gate of the reprocessor. The data reported to WasteDataFlow are used by the Environment Agency and DEFRA to monitor the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice or guidance  (a) the Waste Resources Action Programme and  (b) his Department has provided to councils on levying charges on households for providing containers which will hold domestic rubbish.

Joan Ruddock: No advice or guidance have been provided by the Waste and Resources Action Programme or DEFRA on these issues.

Food: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste Resources Action Programme has given to local authorities on food waste collection, including which types of food can and cannot be placed in food waste buckets.

Joan Ruddock: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) offers advice to local authorities on arrangements for food waste collection. This advice has been developed on the basis of published literature, a number of projects commissioned by WRAP and current local authority experience of providing food waste collection services. The general advice is that if local authorities are considering collecting food waste they should consider collecting it separately and on a weekly basis. Where food waste is collected separately, WRAP advises that local authorities provide appropriate containers to householders (typically a kitchen caddy and a rigid external container) to make the separation of food waste easier for residents and to encourage them to take part in the service.
	The types of food waste suitable for collection will depend on the treatment facilities available to a local authority. All food waste collected separately must be treated at enclosed facilities (for example, in-vessel composting or anaerobic digestion plants) that meet the requirements of the Animal By-Products Regulations and are approved by the State Veterinary Service. Typically this will include cooked and uncooked food, dairy products, meat, fish and fruit/vegetables.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals have been culled  (a) on infected premises,  (b) on the basis of slaughter on suspicion and  (c) as a result of dangerous contact following the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 16 October 2007
	 A total of 2,160 animals have been compulsorily culled as a result of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. A breakdown of the statistics are shown as follows:
	
		
			  Current premises status  Number of premises  Number culled and disposed( 1) 
			 Infected premises(2) 8 1,578 
			 Dangerous contacts 7 195 
			 Slaughter on suspicion(3) 2 387 
			 Totals 17 2,160 
			 (1) Figures as of 12 October 2007 and may be subject to change. (2) Includes slaughter on suspicion and dangerous contact premises subsequently confirmed as infected premises. (3) Excludes those cases which were subsequently confirmed as infected premises.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Disease Control

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many infected premises livestock have been slaughtered in relation to the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease; and how many individual holdings make up the number of infected premises.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 15 October 2007
	Livestock have been culled on eight infected premises during the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease. These eight infected premises comprised a total of 24 individual locations where susceptible livestock were culled.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Public Inquiries

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department plans to establish an independent public inquiry into its handling of the foot and mouth outbreaks of 2007.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 15 October 2007
	Following the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in August and September 2007, the Prime Minister has asked Dr. Iain Anderson to look at the Government's response to the outbreak. Dr. Anderson chaired the previous independent inquiry into the 2001 outbreak. The terms of reference for the Foot and Mouth Review 2007 are:
	To conduct a review of the Government's handling of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease during 2007, in order to:
	i. Establish whether relevant points from the Lessons to be Learned Report on the 2001 outbreak were implemented;
	ii. Establish whether new lessons might be drawn from the handling of the 2007 outbreak; and
	iii. To make recommendations by the end of 2007 to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the future handling of foot and mouth disease outbreaks.
	This is the most effective and efficient way to learn the lessons of this outbreak and respond accordingly. We have no plans to establish a public inquiry.

Hare Preservation Act 1892

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there are plans to repeal the Hare Preservation Act 1892 in full or in part.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 17 October 2007
	DEFRA currently has no plans to repeal the Hares Preservation Act 1892 in full or in part.

Recycling: Business

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incentives his Department provides for local authorities to engage with local businesses to promote recycling.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 15 October 2007
	The landfill tax escalator gives greater financial incentives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. This was increased in the 2007 budget so that the standard rate of tax will increase by £8 per year from 2008 until at least 2010-11. If private waste collectors that collect commercial waste fail to offer alternatives to landfill (such as recycling) they will find that the waste treatment services they offer will no longer be cost effective. This is an incentive for waste contractors to consider developing waste management partnerships with local authorities to provide services to local businesses.
	In addition, the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme (BREW) has been developed to give money raised through the landfill tax back to business through funding resource efficiency and waste projects that will benefit business. The BREW Centre for Local Authorities was set up to help local authorities undertake a leadership role in supporting the business community to become more profitable through business resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Recycling: Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional funding is being provided to local authorities to meet central Government recycling targets.

Joan Ruddock: The main sources of funding for local authorities' waste management services are revenue support grant (RSG) and national non-domestic rates (NNDR), distributed by central Government, and council tax. It is for local authorities to decide what proportion of this funding to invest in waste management services, including recycling. Other funding made available to authorities in England for waste management: since 1997 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Funding provided 
			  million 
			  Scheme  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund 50 90 90 45 — — 
			 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant — — — 40 105 110 
			 Grant to Relieve Spending Pressures on Waste — — 20 — — — 
			 Household Incentives Pilot Scheme — — — 5 — — 
			 Private Finance Initiative 70 100 125 130 255 280 
			 Local Communications Fund (WRAP) — — 16.2 — — — 
			 Behavioural Change Local Fund (WRAP) — — — — 13  
		
	
	As part of Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, the Government have also announced a further step change in Private Finance Initiative spending on waste, more than doubling from £280 million in 2007-08 to £700 million by 2010-11, totalling £2 billion over the three years of the next spending period.

Waste Management: Welsh Assembly Government

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the CBI's proposals for UK and Europe-wide standards on waste management.

Joan Ruddock: On 12 October 2006, the Government, in association with the devolved administrations, published a consultation paper on the European Commission's proposal to revise the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). The Commission's proposal included a provision to enable the adoption by comitology of EU-wide minimum standards for waste management operations. A summary and analysis of the responses to this consultation is available on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk.
	The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) responded to DEFRA's consultation on the revision of the WFD. However, I am advised that DEFRA has no record of the CBI subsequently submitting proposals for UK and EU-wide standards on waste management. It follows that no discussions on such proposals have taken place with the Welsh Assembly Government.

Political Parties: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission plans to appeal against the ruling of the High Court of August 2007 on impermissible donations to the UK Independence Party; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that, on 7 August 2007, judgment was given on an application by the Commission to Westminster magistrates court under section 58 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for forfeiture by the UK Independence Party of an amount equal to the value of certain donations the Party had accepted. The court found all of the donations in question to be from impermissible donors, but ordered the forfeiture of an amount equal in value to only some of those donations. On 21 August, the Electoral Commission commenced appeal proceedings. The appeal is for a judicial review by the High Court of the Magistrates court's decision not to order forfeiture of an amount equal in value to the remainder of the donations that were the subject of the original application. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.

Departments: Secondment

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are seconded to his Department from outside Government; from which outside body each has been seconded; and what the length is of each secondment.

Dawn Primarolo: As at the 1 September 2007, there were 61 people (57.7 full-time equivalent) seconded into the Department. The Department's main human resources information system does not show where a person has been seconded from, or the length of their secondment.
	Work carried out to answer a previous Freedom of Information request suggested that virtually all secondees into the Department are from public sector organisations and anecdotally most of these are from national health service trusts or other health-related organisations. Secondments are normally for a period of up to two years.

Health Hazards: Mobile Phones

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what official response the Government  (a) has made and  (b) plans to make to the report of the findings of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme;
	(2)  what health advice he plans to provide to the public following the findings of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Health Protection Agency on the findings of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme; whether the Health Protection Agency will be updating its advice to the public in the light of the report from the programme; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of current health advice on the use of mobile telephones in the light of the findings of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what recent discussions his Department has had with the devolved administrations on raising awareness of the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research programme report and its findings.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department is grateful to the Management Committee of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) programme for producing the "Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Programme Report 2007—MTHR Programme Management Committee" published on 12 September. The report is available in the Library and at www.mthr.org.uk.
	We shall also send a copy to hon. Members, as we believe it will be helpful when responding to enquiries from constituents about mobile phone technology and health.
	The Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Radiation Protection Division has the responsibility of advising on radiation risk and health protection matters. In undertaking this role the HPA monitors progress in radiation and electromagnetic field health research, that is undertaken throughout the world, in order to inform its advice. The MTHR results will add to the information available to the HPA in support of that advice.
	The Department's advice that is currently available in the form of leaflets and web based information will be updated in the course of the next few months in co-operation with the HPA and Health Department officials in the Devolved Administrations.

Bookmakers: Licensing

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many independent bookmakers there are in the UK; and what the cost to them of  (a) licence fees charged,  (b) the operating licence charged and  (c) the premises licence charged was in 2006-07.

James Purnell: Bookmakers have been able to apply to the Gambling Commission for operating licences under the Gambling Act 2005 from 1 January 2007. There is no defined category of "independent bookmaker". Total numbers of off-course bookmakers to which the Commission has issued operating licences to date are:
	
		
			  Category  Operators 
			 A—four or fewer premises 605 
			 B—five to 15 premises 52 
			 C—16 to 50 premises 17 
			 D—51 to 199 premises 4 
			 E—200 or more premises 5 
		
	
	Both application fees and annual fees are charged by the Commission, in accordance with the table. In the period to 31 March 2007 it collected 56,318 in application fees from off-course bookmakers. Premises licence fees are a matter for local licensing authorities, and data are not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Application fees 
			  £ 
			   Category 
			   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H 
			  Non-remote licences 
			 General betting (limited) 180 360 990 — — — — — 
			 General betting (standard) 988 988 3,459 17,295 40,518 — — — 
			  
			  Remote licences 
			 General betting (standard — — — — — 988 3,294 16,471 
		
	
	
		
			  Annual fees 
			  £ 
			   Category 
			   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H 
			  Non-remote licences 
			 General betting (limited) 200 467 1,267 — — — — — 
			 General betting (standard) 1,769 7,077 16,860 36,862 212,372 — — — 
			  
			  Remote licences 
			 General betting (standard — — — — — 12,733 34,176 66,341

British Bob Skeleton Association: Legal Costs

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much and what proportion of the cost of the British Bob Skeleton Association's legal action against the British Bobsleigh Association was met from the public purse or National Lottery funds via UK Sport.

Gerry Sutcliffe: UK Sport is not aware of any legal action by the British Bob Skeleton Association (BBSKA) against the British Bobsleigh Association.
	UK Sport is aware of legal action taken earlier this year by the BBSKA against the Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobaganning (FIBT). This was in the form of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the FIBT's decision to change the rules over race licensing arrangements for skeleton athletes, without prior consultation. BBSKA used £17,000 of funding received from UK Sport to meet the costs of this successful action.
	UK Sport agreed to meet this proportion of the costs because of the direct impact the decision was having on the athletes' ability to train and compete, and therefore the BBSKA's ability to deliver its performance programme. UK Sport did, however, make clear to the BBSKA that further costs associated with this legal action would need to be met from other sources of income. UK Sport is not aware of the total cost to the BBSKA of undertaking this legal action.

Casinos

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the written statement of 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 2WS, on casinos, what the Government's policy is on the establishment of a supercasino in the UK.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Prime Minister has asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to consider, with other Government departments, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, whether deprived areas can be equally well served by other forms of regeneration than a regional casino.
	That work is now well under way, and the Prime Minister has asked the Secretary of State to report to him later in the autumn.

National Lottery

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent on National Lottery ticket sales in  (a) Wirral South,  (b) Wirral,  (c) Merseyside,  (d) the North West and  (e) England in the last year for which figures are available; and how much was distributed to good causes in those areas in the same period.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The national lottery operator, Camelot, does not collect ticket sales information on a constituency, district, county or regional basis, nor do they routinely collect ticket sales data based on postcodes. The most up-to-date sales data by postcode area is available in the Libraries of both Houses and provides information up to 2004.

Rugby League

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether he plans to attend any of the rugby league test matches between Great Britain and New Zealand in an official capacity.

James Purnell: I will be attending the rugby league test match between Great Britain and New Zealand on the 27 October in Huddersfield. I am looking forward to this unique test series which will celebrate the centenary of international rugby league competition.

Crime: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent change there has been in the level of recorded crimes in  (a) Chorley and  (b) Lancashire, broken down by type of crime.

Tony McNulty: The most recent information for Chorley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) and Lancashire police force area are given in following the table.
	
		
			  Recorded crime by offence group and percentage change. 2005-06 to 2006-07 
			   Chorley CDRP  Lancashire police force area 
			  Offence group  Offences recorded 2005-06  Offences recorded 2006-07  Percentage change 2005-06 to 2006-07  Offences recorded 2005-06  Offences recorded 2006-07  Percentage change 2005-06 to 2006-07 
			 Total crime 7,269 7,147 -2 142,229 135,837 -4 
			 Violence against the person 1,489 1,460 -2 28,841 26,791 -7 
			 Sexual offences 65 86 32 1,505 1,461 -3 
			 Robbery 22 29 32 1,021 1,014 -1 
			 Burglary 767 796 4 14,629 14,531 -1 
			 Offences against vehicles 971 796 -18 16,263 16,552 2 
			 Other theft offences 1,400 1,545 10 29,354 28,584 -3 
			 Fraud and forgery 302 242 -20 5,524 3,976 -28 
			 Criminal damage 1,938 1,752 -10 40,110 37,804 -6 
			 Drug offences 230 338 47 3,245 3,301 2 
			 Other offences 85 103 21 1,737 1,823 5

Departments: General Elections

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency preparations her Department made for the possibility of a general election in autumn 2007; and what the costs of those preparations were.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Edward Miliband) on 16 October 2007,  Official, Report , column 823W.

Office of Surveillance Commissioners: Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners will amend its inspection priorities to undertake a first inspection of  (a) the Valuation Office Agency and  (b) the Valuation and Lands Agency.

Tony McNulty: The Valuation Office Agency and the Valuation and Lands Agency do not carry out surveillance of individuals and do not operate covertly. Their officers' always identify themselves when carrying out their duties.

Police: Finance

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to address geographical disparities in police funding.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 16 October 2007
	The Police Service in England and Wales has benefited from a significant increase in resources over a sustained period.
	Government funding for police authorities is chiefly allocated using a funding formula that distributes resources on the basis of relative needs and resources. A damping mechanism is subsequently applied to protect all authorities against financial instability which ensures that all authorities receive an increase in grant at least equal to the "floor" level on a like-for-like basis year-on-year.
	The Home Office will announce a Provisional Finance Settlement for the police for the CSR years, 2008-09 to 2010-11, in late November/early December as in previous years which will take account of responses to the recent consultation exercise on local Government formula grant distribution.

Resettlement: Iraq

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what plans the Government has to assist Iraqis who wish to enter Great Britain and claim asylum, with particular reference to those who have worked in Iraq for the British Army;
	(2)  what measures the Government plans to put in place to help Iraqi interpreters who have worked for the British Army to claim asylum in the UK;
	(3)  if the Government will set up a website with instructions on claiming asylum in the UK aimed at Iraqis who have been employed by the British Army.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 October 2007
	The Foreign Secretary announced in his written ministerial statement of 9 October the assistance that would be made available to help Iraqi's employed by the Government in Iraq.
	The statement also promised that we will announce further details, including on how eligible staff may apply, before the end of the month.

Surveillance: Local Authorities

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners has provided to local authorities on surveillance in relation to  (a) the public smoking ban and  (b) rubbish collection and waste disposal; and how many inspections of local authorities have taken place in relation to each.

Tony McNulty: The Office of Surveillance Commissioners has not given specific guidance to local authorities and does not undertake thematic inspections of surveillance relating to specific investigative activity. Inspections conducted on behalf of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner are not designed to provide guidance but to review performance, although specific scenarios may have been addressed during inspections.

Surveillance: Local Authorities

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the local authorities inspected by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners in 2006-07 used surveillance for  (a) enforcement of the public smoking ban,  (b) tackling fly-tipping and  (c) other issues relating to waste collection and disposal.

Tony McNulty: The Office of Surveillance Commissioners does not break down its reports to reflect the specific purposes for which the conduct of surveillance is undertaken.

Housing: Grants

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which  (a) local authorities and  (b) arm's length management organisations have been granted approval to bid for Government grants to build new homes; on what dates the respective approvals were made; and what discussions she and the Minister for Housing have had with Welsh Assembly government ministers on extension of permissions to local authorities in Wales to bid for new housing grants.

Iain Wright: The Housing Corporation announced on 23 July that eight arm's length management organisations (ALMOs) and two local authority special purpose vehicles had pre-qualified as investment partners for the 2008-11 affordable housing programme and moved to the next stage of the bidding process.
	The ALMOs named by the Corporation were Ashfield Homes, Brent, City West Homes, Derby Homes, Hillingdon Homes, Hounslow Homes, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, and Sheffield Homes. The two local authorities were Knowsley metropolitan borough council and Norwich city council. Not all of these organisations will necessarily go on to bid or be successful in their bid. In particular, Hillingdon Homes recently failed to achieve 3 star status following its Audit Commission inspection and has been disapplied from bidding this autumn. Hillingdon will however have an opportunity to consider a new bid next year as a 2 star ALMO under the Corporation's revised criteria.
	The Housing Corporation is responsible for the funding of development schemes in England. The Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for funding decisions for social housing in Wales.

Waste Management

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received on the existence of separate collection and disposal authorities within county council areas and the adoption of a strategic approach to waste management across the whole county council area.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	The division of responsibilities between the waste disposal and collection authorities in two-tier areas can make sustainable waste management more challenging. Authorities in such areas have a statutory obligation to draw up joint municipal waste management strategies, subject to certain exemptions. These strategies help to encourage and deliver a strategic approach to waste management in two-tier areas.
	A report on "Joint Working in Wastes Management(1)" by the Innovation Forum (a group of high-performing authorities) highlighted the benefits of joint working in two-tier areas, citing possible efficiency savings of around £150 million nationally. The report identified the limited legal basis for joint working arrangements as a key barrier to establishing such arrangements. In response to this, the Government have introduced powers in the local government and public involvement in Health Bill which will allow the establishment of joint waste authorities.
	(1) http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/4821783

Defence: Inflation

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the National Statistics Quality Review of Ministry of Defence Finance and Economic Statistics Implementation Plan, what progress his Department has made in creating a defence-specific inflation index; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Bob Ainsworth: Work on developing a Defence related price index commenced in 2004-05 and has continued since. Unfortunately, despite commitment by both the Office for National Statistics and Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA), work has as yet failed to produce a defence specific inflation index.
	Matching the companies, to whom MOD has made payments, with Office for National Statistics data has been difficult due to changes in names, ownership, recording of information and ONS data on prices being from a sample survey. Less than 20 per cent. of companies paid more than £1 million by MOD in 2002-03 could be matched to price data, which accounted for less than 30 per cent. of MOD spend. Confining analysis to the subset of Defence problems further decreases this already poor coverage causing any estimates of defence inflation to be unreliable and biased.
	Using published indices for MOD purchases of goods and services, and indeed the underlying data for these indices also presents a variety of problems. Price changes collected by ONS represent off the shelf products whereas the large value goods that MOD buys tend to be bespoke systems. Quality adjustment of price indices is appropriate for determining change in value, but not for the replacement costs that MOD faces. It is difficult to incorporate overseas expenditure. Indices used in placing contracts frequently do not reflect the expenditure patterns of the MOD.
	Work continues to overcome these challenges.

Departments: General Election

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency preparations his Department made for the possibility of a general election in autumn 2007; and what the costs were of those preparations.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 15 October 2007,  Official Report, column 823W, by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Edward Miliband).

War Pensions

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which areas of the world members of the merchant marine qualify for a war pension served.

Derek Twigg: This information is not available in the form requested. The Mercantile Marine scheme provides for awards to be made to members of the mercantile marine who have sustained injuries whilst serving during conflict and war. The scheme dates from the second world war and in addition to that war the scheme applied in principle to members of the mercantile marine involved in the Korean war, the Suez crisis, the Falklands conflict and the first Gulf conflict.

Discrimination Law Review

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality when the Government plan to publish their response to the consultation on the Discrimination Law Review green paper.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 15 October 2007
	We were pleased with the substantial response to the consultation—more than 4,000 replies. I will be considering the Government's response with colleagues and plan to publish it as soon as possible.

Refugees: Forced Prostitution

Harry Cohen: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the extent and causes of Iraqi women and children who have become refugees being forced into prostitution; what action the UK Government are taking in this regard; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: The UK Government are concerned at reports, including from the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), that some Iraqi refugee women and young girls have been forced to resort to prostitution and children forced into labour or other forms of exploitation to survive. We will continue to support the efforts of UNHCR, who are working closely with host country governments to assess and address the needs of all Iraqi refugees.
	So far this year the UK Government have committed £15 million to support humanitarian agencies working in Iraq and the region , bringing our total humanitarian assistance for vulnerable Iraqis to over £130 million since 2003. We remain in close contact with our humanitarian partners to ensure they are adequately resourced to respond to needs on the ground.

Coroners

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the oldest outstanding inquest is in each coroner's jurisdiction;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the average time taken to complete an inquest in England and Wales in each year since 2001, broken down by coroner's jurisdiction;
	(3)  how many inquests were pending before coroners in England and Wales at the end of each calendar year since 2001, broken down by coroner's jurisdiction.

Bridget Prentice: For the oldest outstanding inquest in each district, as at 31 December 2006, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) on 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 1157-60W, in response to a similar question. More up-to-date information is not held centrally.
	The average time in weeks taken to complete an inquest in England and Wales, for each coroner's district, in each year since 2004 (the earliest year for which figures are available) is shown in the following tables.
	The number of inquests outstanding within each coroner's district as at 31 December 2006, and at the end of each calendar year since 2001 is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Annex A: Estimated average time to conduct an inquest, in weeks, by coroners district 
			  Name of coroner's district  2004  2005  2006 
			 The Queen's Household n/a n/a n/a 
			 
			  North East
			 Darlington and South Durham 26 28 25 
			 North Durham 19 22 24 
			 Hartlepool U 15 17 
			 North Northumberland 21 25 25 
			 South Northumberland 20 18 17 
			 Teesside 35 28 28 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 24 22 24 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 21 20 21 
			 North Tyneside 21 20 18 
			 Sunderland 23 15 19 
			 
			  North West
			 Cheshire 28 27 28 
			 North East Cumbria 32 32 30 
			 South Cumbria and Furness 16 18 21 
			 Western Cumbria 24 23 22 
			 Manchester city 29 33 33 
			 Manchester North 15 19 25 
			 Manchester South 31 27 23 
			 Manchester West 28 27 24 
			 Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 15 17 13 
			 Blackpool/Fylde 19 15 23 
			 East Lancashire 22 29 33 
			 Preston and West Lancashire 19 21 22 
			 Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens 20 22 26 
			 Liverpool 10 10 10 
			 Wirral 16 16 16 
			 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber
			 East Riding and Hull 36 34 22 
			 North Lincolnshire and Grimsby 33 42 34 
			 York City 42 28 22 
			 North Yorkshire Eastern District 24 21 20 
			 North Yorkshire Western District 26 29 28 
			 South Yorkshire Eastern District 17 16 16 
			 South Yorkshire Western District 19 18 18 
			 West Yorkshire Eastern District 28 28 27 
			 West Yorkshire Western District 23 25 24 
			 
			  East Midlands
			 Derby and South Derbyshire 19 19 22 
			 North Derbyshire (formerly known as Scarsdale) 12 14 13 
			 Leicester city and South Leicestershire n/a 24 21 
			 Rutland and North Leicestershire 17 18 20 
			 Boston and Spalding 19 18 20 
			 West Lincolnshire 28 25 29 
			 Spilsby and Louth 19 24 17 
			 Stamford 21 19 24 
			 Northamptonshire 23 27 26 
			 Nottinghamshire 16 I3 I3 
			 
			  West Midlands
			 Herefordshire 28 20 33 
			 Mid and North Shropshire 21 26 23 
			 South Shropshire 22 31 35 
			 Staffordshire South n/a 21 23 
			 Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire 18 17 18 
			 Telford and Wrekin 17 22 25 
			 Warwickshire 24 27 30 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 17 17 17 
			 Black Country 13 18 24 
			 Coventry 21 17 18 
			 Wolverhampton 18 21 22 
			 Worcestershire 14 16 16 
			 
			  East of England
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 18 15 20 
			 North and East Cambridgeshire 20 25 24 
			 South and West Cambridgeshire 16 19 17 
			 Essex and Thurrock 33 41 34 
			 Hertfordshire 19 19 22 
			 Great Yarmouth 15 28 15 
			 Norwich and Central Norfolk 20 22 23 
			 King's Lynn 11 12 14 
			 Peterborough 20 26 27 
			 Southend-on-Sea 15 21 n/a 
			 Suffolk 14 17 21 
			 
			  London
			 City of London 34 29 34 
			 East London n/a 26 34 
			 Inner North London 32 29 32 
			 Inner South London 27 25 21 
			 Inner West London 12 12 14 
			 North London 20 17 20 
			 South London 21 21 23 
			 West London 23 22 32 
			 
			  South East
			 Berkshire (former county) 16 19 21 
			 Brighton and Hove n/a 13 11 
			 Buckinghamshire 24 22 18 
			 East Sussex 25 27 25 
			 Central Hampshire 20 17 21 
			 North East Hampshire 12 12 13 
			 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 29 41 42 
			 Southampton and New Forest 15 17 17 
			 Isle of Wight 35 45 32 
			 Central and South East Kent 25 27 30 
			 Mid Kent and Medway 26 28 27 
			 North East Kent 20 17 24 
			 North West Kent 19 21 22 
			 Milton Keynes 12 17 19 
			 Oxfordshire 39 38 46 
			 Surrey 23 28 25 
			 West Sussex 14 14 15 
			 
			  South West
			 Avon (former county) 20 26 29 
			 Cornwall 27 29 35 
			 Exeter and Greater Devon 23 21 26 
			 Plymouth and South West Devon 18 17 26 
			 Torbay and South Devon 23 20 21 
			 Bournemouth Poole and Eastern Dorset 15 14 12 
			 Western Dorset 23 19 20 
			 Gloucestershire 25 25 28 
			 Isles of Scilly 9 20 9 
			 Eastern Somerset 23 28 23 
			 Western Somerset 18 19 25 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 32 33 35 
			 
			  Wales
			 Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys 27 30 35 
			 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan 34 33 40 
			 Carmarthenshire 13 12 16 
			 Central North Wales 25 21 20 
			 Ceredigion 28 23 11 
			 Gwent 19 11 19 
			 Neath and Port Talbot 18 24 29 
			 North East Wales 28 24 23 
			 North West Wales 27 27 24 
			 Pembrokeshire 18 19 23 
			 Powys 19 23 22 
			 City and County of Swansea 33 36 43 
			 
			 Overall average, England and Wales (weeks) 22 23 24 
			 n/a = Not available. 
		
	
	
		
			  Annex B: Number of inquests outstanding at the end of each year, by coroner's district 
			  Name of coroner's district  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 The Queen's Household 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			
			  North East   
			 Darlington and South Durham 72 62 28 53 40 64 
			 North Durham 41 38 34 109 77 120 
			 Hartlepool 32 17 12 16 12 13 
			 North Northumberland 25 36 68 70 65 83 
			 South Northumberland 47 48 48 32 61 48 
			 Teesside 269 310 239 169 191 184 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 11 50 69 60 48 52 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 98 147 122 138 132 147 
			 North Tyneside 123 129 113 51 68 61 
			 Sunderland 34 50 80 94 143 135 
			  North West   
			 Cheshire 257 235 239 281 286 327 
			 North East Cumbria 55 63 66 80 57 100 
			 South Cumbria and Furness(1) 31 42 8 44 35 54 
			 Western Cumbria 28 31 17 32 27 40 
			 Manchester city 168 100 181 195 172 368 
			 Manchester North 46 62 88 124 185 148 
			 Manchester South 350 245 290 289 134 241 
			 Manchester West 179 277 194 221 148 178 
			 Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 36 26 79 43 47 71 
			 Blackpool/Fylde 52 51 31 54 69 85 
			 East Lancashire 37 40 41 71 68 87 
			 Preston and West Lancashire(1) 69 67 74 149 170 60 
			 Sefton, Knowsley and St. Helens 129 80 114 120 110 164 
			 Liverpool 50 59 28 40 47 10 
			 Wirral 64 42 88 74 66 117 
			
			  Yorkshire and the Humber   
			 East Riding and Hull 72 132 137 137 113 88 
			 North Lincolnshire and Grimsby 39 36 53 116 73 96 
			 York City 37 30 55 69 38 44 
			 North Yorkshire Eastern District 55 55 60 43 28 39 
			 North Yorkshire Western District 95 49 47 59 70 59 
			 South Yorkshire Eastern District 116 67 80 63 67 114 
			 South Yorkshire Western District 126 88 124 80 88 140 
			 West Yorkshire Eastern District 312 354 290 274 278 307 
			 West Yorkshire Western District 216 212 197 202 168 273 
			
			  East Midlands   
			 Derby and South Derbyshire 88 39 61 57 55 74 
			 North Derbyshire (formerly known as Scarsdale)(1) 44 61 55 41 57 72 
			 Leicester city and South Leicestershire 195 211 186 118 138 341 
			 Rutland and North Leicestershire 47 49 67 42 64 69 
			 Boston and Spalding 25 14 30 30 29 18 
			 West Lincolnshire(1) 36 44 67 55 47 63 
			 Spilsby and Louth(1) 18 22 25 36 29 31 
			 Stamford 2 8 8 6 12 15 
			 Northamptonshire 95 126 91 108 134 172 
			 Nottinghamshire 93 153 150 103 58 98 
			
			  West Midlands   
			 Herefordshire 24 15 3 30 14 56 
			 Mid and North Shropshire 30 45 43 37 43 36 
			 South Shropshire 20 29 16 22 18 12 
			 Staffordshire South 132 121 131 76 103 133 
			 Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire 58 71 115 157 102 169 
			 Telford and Wrekin 13 46 32 32 49 23 
			 Warwickshire 74 96 67 95 153 124 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 35 152 284 243 560 162 
			 Black Country(1) 113 123 148 154 65 155 
			 Coventry 31 38 46 45 45 98 
			 Wolverhampton 43 23 29 39 39 41 
			 Worcestershire 68 98 96 121 95 67 
			
			  East of England   
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 50 63 46 43 55 64 
			 North and East Cambridgeshire 28 22 29 28 17 26 
			 South and West Cambridgeshire 30 39 41 57 34 58 
			 Essex and Thurrock 158 177 171 274 214 321 
			 Hertfordshire(1) 149 167 69 88 118 51 
			 Great Yarmouth 10 17 14 5 4 12 
			 Norwich and Central Norfolk(1) 46 65 66 77 62 152 
			 King's Lynn 16 12 15 15 23 16 
			 Peterborough 37 18 24 35 39 46 
			 Southend-on-Sea 29 28 39 58 88 32 
			 Suffolk(1) 67 46 49 78 73 115 
			
			  London   
			 City of London 9 17 12 9 10 14 
			 East London 185 210 260 203 230 217 
			 Inner North London 275 283 253 219 284 399 
			 Inner South London 165 130 281 278 229 226 
			 Inner West London 123 106 56 85 84 142 
			 North London 238 154 199 171 177 210 
			 South London 88 102 112 110 102 141 
			 West London 33 187 197 188 221 272 
			
			  South East   
			 Berkshire (former county)(1) 60 50 32 51 89 90 
			 Brighton and Hove 32 24 23 31 28 29 
			 Buckinghamshire 48 68 57 45 12 34 
			 East Sussex 64 126 149 104 104 169 
			 Central Hampshire 49 37 44 24 39 81 
			 North East Hampshire 36 9 18 10 11 2 
			 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 40 29 103 149 145 233 
			 Southampton and New Forest 34 39 47 52 40 38 
			 Isle of Wight 31 46 42 47 21 36 
			 Central and South East Kent(1) 59 46 61 84 91 98 
			 Mid Kent and Medway 84 64 110 104 106 130 
			 North East Kent 62 99 63 77 90 35 
			 North West Kent 67 72 70 70 31 62 
			 Milton Keynes 18 18 26 29 41 44 
			 Oxfordshire 126 126 155 192 202 358 
			 Surrey 127 153 169 205 179 178 
			 West Sussex 65 33 51 77 58 61 
			
			  South West   
			 Avon (former county) 188 112 118 275 212 530 
			 Cornwall(1) 100 78 114 202 139 295 
			 Exeter and Greater Devon 64 88 145 142 176 210 
			 Plymouth and South West Devon 61 177 210 158 222 133 
			 Torbay and South Devon 26 34 41 35 36 45 
			 Bournemouth Poole and Eastern Dorset 33 32 52 39 33 24 
			 Western Dorset 28 29 20 25 29 29 
			 Gloucestershire(1) 87 93 87 99 129 214 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Eastern Somerset 29 37 36 54 36 61 
			 Western Somerset 22 58 62 56 56 28 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 102 123 156 148 140 189 
			
			  Wales   
			 Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys 206 174 155 170 139 158 
			 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan 138 145 150 174 258 283 
			 Carmarthenshire 54 24 18 21 19 32 
			 Central North Wales 87 42 43 45 52 52 
			 Ceredigion 19 17 14 19 5 6 
			 Gwent 17 24 20 35 23 39 
			 Neath and Port Talbot 15 20 16 20 12 32 
			 North East Wales 80 36 33 73 45 88 
			 North West Wales 57 62 54 69 56 64 
			 Pembrokeshire 20 14 16 15 18 29 
			 Powys 13 25 24 37 30 51 
			 City and County of Swansea 111 113 174 121 90 148 
			
			 Total England and Wales 8,951 9,354 10,056 10,704 10,598 13,079 
			 (1) This district incorporates one or more smaller districts which were separate in 2001. Figures from years when the districts were separate have been aggregated.  Note: In certain circumstances where the data were not available, we have estimated the number of outstanding inquests in a jurisdiction at the end of a year by using related data on the numbers of inquests opened and closed during the year. Around 6 per cent. of values shown in this table have been subject to such an estimation process.

Departmental Reorganisation

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what date the Transfer of Function Order detailing the changes in his Department was laid before Parliament for approval.

Maria Eagle: A Transfer of Functions Order relating to the machinery of government changes of 9 May 2007 was made on 25 July 2007. This was laid before Parliament under the negative resolution procedure on 1 August, and came into force on 22 August 2007. The order is entitled the Secretary of State for Justice Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2128).

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan was from  (a) the UK and  (b) the EU in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: In 2006-07 DFID provided £1.6 million in bilateral humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is also one of the largest recipients of UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) support, to which the UK is the largest contributor (23 per cent. of total CERF value in 2006). Afghanistan received $32.3 million from CERF in 2006. We also provide core funding to UNICEF, the World Food programme, and UNHCR, all of whom have operations in Afghanistan.
	In 2005 (the latest year for which figures are available) the total humanitarian aid to Afghanistan from EU Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member states was $90.33 million.

Pensions: Females

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals he intends to bring forward for women who do not have enough National Insurance contributions for a full state pension.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	The Pensions Act 2007 introduced reforms that will ensure that, in 2010, almost 75 per cent. of women will be entitled to a full basic state pension when they reach state pension age. By 2020 around 90 per cent. of women and over 90 per cent. of men reaching state pension age will be entitled to a full basic state pension.
	As set out in the 2007 pre-Budget report, during the Pensions Bill debate, proposals were made that individuals with gaps in their contribution record—particularly women and carers—should be able to buy voluntary national insurance contributions for a greater number of missed years than the system currently allows. The Government are continuing to analyse the options in terms of fairness, affordability and simplicity, and is holding informal discussions with stakeholders.

Tax Credits

Peter Viggers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claimants of tax credits are being pursued for repayment; and what total sum is involved.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the format requested. Information on the number of families with an overpayment can be found in child and working tax credits statistics finalised awards supplement on payments on HMRC's website. Information on the amount to be recovered can be found in Chapter 2 Figure 4 of the comptroller and auditor generals standard report in the HM Revenue and Customs 2006-07 accounts.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking in response to the parliamentary Commissioner for administration's October 2007 report "Tax Credits: Getting it Wrong".

Jane Kennedy: I refer to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett).

Income Tax

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 384W, on income tax, 
	(1)  how many people who will experience a reduction in income will be  (a) economically active and  (b) inactive;
	(2)  how many  (a) single adults,  (b) families with one earner and  (c) individuals in families with two earners will experience a reduction in income, broken down by sex;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of people with annual incomes of  (a) £10,000,  (b) £10-£15,000,  (c) £15-20,000 and  (d) £20,000 and above whose income will be reduced by the abolition of the 10p income tax rate;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the numbers of  (a) single adults earning less than £18,500,  (b) families with two earners whose tax rise is not met by tax credit changes,  (c) women aged between 60 and 64 and  (d) workers who have prematurely retired and do not qualify for the higher pensioner tax allowance whose income will be reduced by the abolition of the 10p income tax rate;
	(5)  how many of the three million taxpayers whose incomes will be reduced by the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and who will not gain from the cut in the basic rate of tax to 20p, will have their incomes reduced by  (a) under £1,  (b) between £1 and £3,  (c) between £3 and £5 and  (d) between £5 and £10 a week.

Jane Kennedy: The removal of the 10p rate of income tax on earned income was part of a package of reforms announced in Budget 2007. The exact effect of the reforms will depend both on individual incomes, but also the circumstances of the household in which people live, for example whether they have children and their age.
	As a result of the personal tax reforms announced in Budget 2007 21 million households are better off or no worse off.
	Of those households that will see their income rise due to the reforms, the following table shows the distribution of households by change in their weekly income.
	
		
			  Change in weekly income  Number of households (million) 
			 Increase by less than £1 3.0 
			 Increase between £1 and £3 4.7 
			 Increase between £3 and £5 3.2 
			 Increase between £5 and £10 4.0 
			 Increase by more than £10 a week 1.0 
		
	
	Of the 5.3 million households that will pay marginally more in net tax—on average less than a half per cent. of net income—the following table shows the distribution of households by change in their weekly income.
	
		
			  Change in weekly income  Number of households( 1)  (million) 
			 Decrease by less than £1 1.5 
			 Decrease between £1 and £3 2.2 
			 Decrease between £3 and £5 1.1 
			 Decrease between £5 and £10 0.4 
			 Decrease by more than £10 a week 0.0 
			 (1) Rows may not sum to total due to rounding. 
		
	
	Of these 5.3 million households, around 900,000 households contain a single adult, who see their income decreased by £1.45 a week on average, a further 700,000 are households with more than one adult but with a single 'earner', who see their income decreased by £2.00 a week on average, and around 3.3 million households who are worse off have two or more adults who are defined as 'earners', who see their income decreased by £2.60 a week on average.
	Around 4.8 million of these 5.3 million households contain at least one adult who is economically active, who see their income decreased by £2.30 a week on average, and around 0.5 million losing households only contain economically inactive adults, who see their income decreased by £2.05 a week on average. Some 0.8 million are single adults with an income below £18,500, who see their income decreased by £1.45 a week on average, and 0.6 million are women aged between 60 and 64, who see their income decreased by £1.95 a week on average. An adult is defined as an 'earner' if they are economically active.
	Of these 5.3 million, 0.9 million have a household reference person with an income under £10,000 a year, 1.1 million have a household reference person with an income between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, 1.5 million have a household reference person with an income between £15,000 and £20,000 a year, and 1.8 million have a household reference person with an income between £10,000 and £20,000 a year. The Household Reference Person is the person who owns the accommodation or is legally responsible for the rent. If this should apply to more than one person in the household, then they are the one with the highest income.
	The estimates are for 2009-10 and have been calculated by comparing against a base that has been increased in line with inflation, using the 2004-05 Expenditure and Food Survey.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated impact is on  (a) 16 to 18-year-olds in work,  (b) single people aged 18 to 65 years,  (c) lone parents where the parent works fewer than 25 hours per week,  (d) lone parents where the parent works more than 25 hours per week,  (e) two parent/adult families with one child,  (f) two parent/adult families with two children and  (g) two parent/adult families with three children earning (i) less than £15,000 per annum, (ii) £15,000 to £20,000 per annum, (iii) £20,000 to £25,000 per annum, (iv) £25,000 to £30,000 per annum, (v) £30,000 to £35,000 per annum, (vi) £35,000 to £40,000 per annum, (vii) £40,000 to £45,000 per annum, (viii) £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, (ix) £50,000 to £55,000 per annum and (x) £55,000 to £60,000 per annum of the abolition of the 10p starting rate in income tax and the 2p reduction in the standard rate.

Tim Boswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage change is in (a) income tax and  (b) employee national insurance contributions arising from budget changes for individuals (i) at or over the state pension age and (ii) below the state pension age with an income of (A) £60,000 per annum, (B) £30,00 per annum and (C) £15,000 per annum.

David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on incomes in each year up to 2011 of  (a) changes to personal allowances,  (b) the removal of the 10p tax rate and  (c) the reduction of the basic rate of income tax to 20 pence on people born (i) before and (ii) after 1935 with incomes of (A) £8,000, (B) £9,000, (C) £10,000, (D) £11,000, (E) £12,000, (F) 13,000, (G) £14,000, (H) £15,000, (I) £16,000, (J) £17,000 and (K) £18,000.

Robert Syms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the average change in income tax which has to be paid by a 21-year-old single person living in Poole working full-time on the minimum wages as a result of the measures announced in the 2007 Budget.

Jane Kennedy: Budget 2007 announced a number of reforms to simplify the personal tax system. The exact effect of the reforms will depend both on individual incomes, but also the circumstances of the household in which people live, for example whether they have children and their age.
	Projected changes in net income in 2009-10 as a result of this package are shown in the following tables. Net incomes are based on a single earner with gross earned income as specified, net of income tax and employee national insurance contributions, and including child benefit and tax credits (non-pensioner families) or pension credit (pensioner families). The projections assume full take-up of entitlements to tax credits where applicable, without child care costs or disability premia.
	
		
			  Change in net income by April 2009 (2009-10 prices £ a year) 
			  Annual earning  Single person/single earner couple (aged under 25)  Single person (aged 25+)  Single earner couple (aged 25+) 
			 £0 0 0 0 
			 £5,000 0 0 0 
			 £10,000 -197 175 175 
			 £15,000 -97 -97 175 
			 £20,000 3 3 3 
			 £25,000 103 103 103 
			 £30,000 203 203 203 
			 £35,000 303 303 303 
			 £40,000 121 121 121 
			 £45,000 12 12 12 
			 £50,000 12 12 12 
			 £55,000 12 12 12 
			 £60,000 12 12 12 
		
	
	
		
			   Lone parent/single earner couple with children 
			  Annual earnings  One child  Two children  Three children 
			 £0 160 320 481 
			 £5,000 160 320 481 
			 £10,000 335 495 655 
			 £15,000 335 495 655 
			 £20,000 336 496 656 
			 £25,000 103 496 656 
			 £30,000 203 203 656 
			 £35,000 303 303 303 
			 £40,000 121 121 121 
			 £45,000 12 12 12.40 
			 £50,000 12 12 12.40 
			 £55,000 12 12 12.40 
			 £60,000 12 12 12.40 
		
	
	
		
			  Annual income  Single pensioner/single income couple pensioner (aged 65-74)  Single pensioner/single income couple pensioner (aged 75+) 
			 £0 0 0 
			 £5,000 0 0 
			 £10,000 416 416 
			 £15,000 96 96 
			 £20,000 196 196 
			 £25,000 323 323 
			 £30,000 203 203 
			 £35,000 303 303 
			 £40,000 403 403 
			 £45,000 610 610 
			 £50,000 610 610 
			 £55,000 610 610 
			 £60,000 610 610 
			  Notes: 1. Other than the changes announced at Budget 2007 this assumes normal indexation of personal allowances, thresholds and limits. 2. National insurance contributions (NICs) are assumed to be paid at the class one not contracted out rate. 3. Only individuals aged 16-64 for males and 16-59 for females are liable for NICs. Therefore there is no change in NICs liability for individuals aged outside of these age ranges.

Microgeneration: Finance

Helen Southworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward fiscal measures to encourage UK businesses to develop production of microgeneration for supply of energy for domestic and commercial consumption.

Angela Eagle: All taxes are kept under review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.
	The Government have introduced a number of measures in support of microgeneration including reduced VAT on installations; access to renewable obligation certificates; and tax exemptions for revenues earned from domestically generated electricity exported to the grid. Further to this, the Government announced, at pre-Budget report 2007, that microgeneration investments will not be included in ad hoc re-assessments of business rates liability from 2008, subject to state aid clearance.
	The Government have also set out, in its Microgeneration Strategy and Energy White Paper, measures to help support and develop the microgeneration industry.

Taxation: Domicile

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people are registered as non-domiciled for tax purposes; how many of them are  (a) resident,  (b) ordinarily resident and  (c) non-resident; and what (i) UK and (ii) foreign income was declared by each group in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  when he expects figures for the number of individuals indicating non-domicile tax status through their self-assessment returns in 2005-06 to be available.

Jane Kennedy: The last full year's data relates to 2004-05, in which there were 115,000 non-domiciles. HMRC's live systems show the latest figure (as at August 2007) for 2005-06 is 114,000 non-domiciles however HMRC expect more returns to be processed. Data on incomes is only available annually—the annual data (as at April 2007) for 2005-06 showed the following:
	
		
			   Non-domiciles  Not-ordinarily residents 
			 Number of individuals 111,000 29,000 
			 Total declared UK taxable income, of which: 11.9 1.0 
			 remitted foreign income (£ billion) 0.2 0.1 
			 Reported non-taxable unremitted foreign employment income (£ billion) 0.7 0.1

Valuation Office: Contracts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invitations to tender  (a) the Valuation Office Agency and  (b) HM Revenue and Customs has issued since January 2003; and for what purpose in each case.

Jane Kennedy: VOA have not directly placed any Invitations to Tender in the OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) since January 2003.
	The following is a list contracts advertised through OJEU—a total of 76 Invitations to Tender (ITTs) were issued since January 2003. As HM Revenue and Customs was formed on 18 April 2005 following the merger of HM Customs and Excise (HM C and E) and Inland Revenue (IR), information for years prior to the merger are shown for the respective departments.
	The list excludes any contracts awarded through Government-wide Framework Agreements and collaborative tenders where HMRC are not the contracting authority.
	
		
			  Invitation to tender 
			 2003 HM C and E: Records Management 
			 February 2003 HM C and E: Baggage X-Ray Machines 
			 March 2003 HM C and E: Provision of Legal Services in Scotland 
			 May 2003 IR: Electronic Completion of Income Tax Assessment 
			 August 2003 HM C and E: Forensic Examination of Telephone Equipment 
			 July 2003 HM C and E: Business Advice Day Sponsorship 
			 July 2003 HM C and E: Payroll Management Services 
			 August 2003 HM C and E: Security Transport Services 
			 October 2003 HM C and E: Civil Recovery of Debt Services 
			 October 2003 IR: Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Products of Animal Origin 
			 November 2003 HM C and E: Haulage, Storage and Disposal of Seized Fuel Products, Chemicals 
			 November 2003 HM C and E: Economics and Commercial Awareness Training 
			 December 2003 HM C and E: Narcotics and Explosives Trace Detectors 
			   
			 2004 IR: Print, Mailing and Print Management 
			 2004 Training Services 
			 2004 IR: Vehicle Hire Car and Van Rental 
			 2004 IR: ASPIRE IT Services 
			 2004 IR: Fleet Management 
			 January 2004 IR: Employers Orderline and Mailings 
			 January 2004 HM C and E: Tax Stamps 
			 February 2004 IR: Medals and Insignia 
			 February 2004 HM C and E: Office Furniture Contract 
			 April 2004 HM C and E: Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Products of Animal Origin and Plant Based Goods 
			 April 2004 HM C and E: Vehicle Conversion for Road Fuel Testing 
			 April 2004 IR: Sortation of Incoming and Outgoing Post 
			 May 2004 HM C and E: Security Printing 
			 June 2004 IR: Collection and Delivery of International Mail 
			 June 2004 HM C and E: Provision of Work Wear, Personal Protective Equipment and H and S Clothing 
			 July 2004 HM C and E: Illicit Drugs Detection System 
			 July 2004 HM C and E: Courtroom Skills Training 
			 August 2004 IR: Electronic Self-Assessment Filing Partnerships 
			 October 2004 HM C and E: Airside Vehicle Management 
			 October 2004 IR: Supply and Maintenance of Post Room Machinery, Equipment, Furniture 
			 October 2004 IR: Distribution of Government Publications 
			 November 2004 HM C and E: Design and Delivery of Taxation Training 
			 December 2004 HM C and E: Static X-Ray Machines 
			 December 2004 HM C and E: Mobile X-Ray Units 
			   
			 2005 Sprint: IT Hardware and Software 
			 2005 IS Consultancy 
			 2005 Delivery and Management of Business Link 
			 2005 Detection Equipment 
			 2005 Eyesight Testing 
			 2005 Satellite Communication 
			 March 2005 HM C and E: Production and Distribution of Duty Stamps 
			 April 2005 Provision of Radiation Protection Advice Services 
			 June 2005 Supply of Relocatable Scanners to HM Revenue and Customs 
			 July 2005 Government Banking Project 
			 July 2005 Audit Professionalism Training 
			 August 2005 Supply of Radio Batteries 
			 October 2005 Scientific Referrals 
			 November 2005 Bulk Scanning Services 
			   
			 2006 Medical Assistance for Staff Travelling Abroad 
			 2006 IT Consumables 
			 2006 Mobile Telephone and SMS Contract 
			 2006 Occupational Health and Screening Services 
			 April 2006 Secure Collection and Transportation of High Value/High Risk Items 
			 April 2006 Vehicle Lease Contract Hire 
			 May 2006 Vehicle Disposal 
			 August 2006 Specialist Consultancy Framework 
			 August 2006 Press Cuttings and Media Services 
			 October 2006 Specialist Coaching and Development Framework 
			 November 2006 Professional Role Player Framework 
			 November 2006 Remedial Works to Bradford Contact Centre 
			   
			 January 2007 Castle Meadow Office Support Services Contract 
			 May 2007 Law Costs Draftsmen Framework Agreement 
			 June 2007 Radio Communications Solution 
			 June 2007 Managed Services for Residential Staff Training Facility 
			 June 2007 Detection Equipment 
			 August 2007 Information Technology Services: Import and Export Processing 
			 August 2007 Disposal of Office Furniture, Office Machines and Sundry Office Equipment 
			 July 2007 Records Management Service 
			 August 2007 Emergency Medical Responder Training 
			 August 2007 Customer Insight Framework 
			 August 2007 Recruitment and Related Services 
			 August 2007 Firearms and Explosives Safety Awareness Training 
			 September 2007 Bathgate AC Remedial Works Contract (Estates)

Welfare Tax Credits

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to the written statement of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 62-63WS, on tax credit administration, how many households have been written to by HM Revenue and Customs to inform them that their tax credit case is being reviewed;
	(2)  what deadline HM Revenue and Customs has adopted for completion of the reviews of the 160,000 tax credit cases described in the written statement of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 62-63WS, on tax credit administration.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs have written to around 175,000 households to advise them that they will be reviewing their tax credits awards from 2003-04 and 2004-05, and to around 75,000 recipients about their 2005-06 awards.
	These are cases where new information came to light that reduced tax credit entitlement after the award for that year had been finalised and closed. The vast majority of those affected will not see any impact on their tax credits award and no-one will be worse off as a result of this issue.
	The planned programme of work to review these awards has now started and will be completed in three years. The time span reflects the need to put these cases on a sound footing as soon as practicable while ensuring HM Revenue and Customs continues to improve the service it provides to tax credits claimants. The plans include ensuring that those where the overpay mentis greatest will be reviewed first, and priority will also be given to those where there is an outstanding query about the overpayment.

Arms Trade: Channel Islands

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what military goods have been licensed for export to the Channel Islands from the UK in the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: The Government publishes detailed information on export licences issued, including the number of military export licences approved for the Channel Islands, in its Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls. The Government's Annual Reports, published since 1997, are available from the Libraries of the House and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=l007029395474
	The Government have published quarterly reports on Strategic Export Controls since January 2004 and these are also available from this website.

Defence Equipment: Exhibitions

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which Ministers from his Department attended the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition in September.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, attended the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition, as did the Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, and the Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

Derelict Land

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what definition of brownfield land is used for the Regional Development Agency's target on the amount of brownfield land that is reclaimed or redeveloped.

Stephen Timms: The regional development agencies use the definition of brownfield land as specified in the Core Outputs Technical Note drawn up by the Office of Project Advice and Training (OffPat): Brownfield Land
	"includes contaminated, derelict or previously developed land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure within the curtilage of the development."
	Details are available on the OffPat website:
	http:/www.offpat.info/

Farepack: Compensation

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make a statement on progress with the assistance offered to those affected by the Farepak collapse; and what  (a) compensation and  (b) restitution they have received.

Gareth Thomas: The Government are entirely sympathetic to the plight of those who lost money in the Farepak collapse. It was strongly supportive of the commendable efforts of the Farepak response fund appeal which raised £8 million from business and members of the public to help those affected.
	It is the central duty of the liquidators to realise as much as possible for the benefit of all of the creditors of the collapsed company. The timing and level of any dividend payment to unsecured creditors (including the agents and customers) is as yet uncertain. On present information, however, the dividend will be approximately five pence in the pound.
	For the future, the Government have taken steps to provide better protection and information for consumers. It has worked with the other hamper companies to put in place greater protection for customers' prepayments, and is pleased to note the initiative of the companies in improving security for consumers' money, which is now held in trust accounts under the control of independent trustees. The arrangements within the individual companies will be monitored by a new trade body, the Christmas Prepayments Association, with a new code of practice to ensure that customer protection measures are established and operated effectively.
	The Government have also given the OFT funding for a consumer education campaign so that consumers are better aware of their options for Christmas savings and empowered to make decisions that are right for their own circumstances.

Ministers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the total estimated annual cost is of  (a) expenses,  (b) salary,  (c) office space,  (d) administrative support and  (e) special advisers for the new Minister of state in his Department.

Gareth Thomas: The total estimated annual cost for the new Secretary of State in BERR is £761,259 broken down as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			  (a) Expenses 217,000 
			  (b) Salary 77,000 
			  (c) Office space 28,152 
			  (d) Administrative support 295,107 
			  (e) Special advisers 145,000 
			 Total 761,259

Overseas Trade: Burma

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what monitoring the Government undertakes of British business activities in Burma; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: We do follow reports on business activities in Burma produced by the UN, NGOs and other organisations. We monitor the level of UK corporate activities through statistics from Office of National Statistics and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, which show that trade with and investment in Burma has fallen in recent years.

Personal Savings: Protection

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Pomeroy Review of Christmas hamper savings schemes.

Stephen Timms: There has been substantial progress in implementing the recommendations of the Pomeroy Review of Christmas savings schemes since its publication in March 2007.
	Firstly, the Government have taken steps to provide better protection and information for consumers. It has worked with the other hamper companies to put in place effective protection for customers' prepayments, and is pleased to note the initiative of the companies in improving security for consumers' money, which is now held in trust accounts under the control of independent trustees. The arrangements within the individual companies will be monitored by a new trade body, the Christmas Prepayments Association, with a new code of practice to ensure that customer protection measures are established and operated effectively.
	In response to the recommendation on mounting an awareness campaign, the Government have given the Office of Fair Trading ( OFT) funding for a consumer education campaign so that consumers are better aware of their options for Christmas savings and empowered to make decisions that are right for their own circumstances. The OFT education programme is delivering face-to-face sessions for consumers across the UK. The sessions, run by community groups, explain the options for people and helps them to choose the best way to save for them as individuals, pointing out the features of the alternatives. This work is being well received and will continue to be delivered into 2008.
	The OFT were also asked to consider whether there were any competition issues in the hamper scheme market. The OFT examined the merger of Park Group and Home Farm Hampers and found that alternative sources of saving operated as a constraint on the merging parties. This is because the majority of customers are prepared to consider switching between a wide range of savings products. No competition concerns were raised either by competitors or customers.
	As detailed in the review, a number of credit unions across the country have historically also offered Christmas saving accounts, and this number increased significantly after the collapse of Farepak. There are now more than 100 such accounts. The OFT's "Save Xmas" campaign has provided consumers with information on all Christmas saving options, including credit union Christmas and regular saving accounts. This will ensure consumers have the necessary information to choose the right product for their needs. The Financial Inclusion Taskforce has reported that Post Office Limited's plans to launch a Christmas saving product is progressing.
	The Government's work on financial inclusion and capability has responded to the recommendation that informal saving schemes be given greater emphasis. In addition to the OFT "Save Xmas" campaign, the Department for Work and Pension's "now let's talk money" campaign, which provides people with information and support in accessing financial services, is providing guidance on the different ways in which people can save. The Thoresen review on generic financial advice, which will shortly be publishing an interim report, with a final report to follow early next year, is considering the provision of guidance on informal savings. And the FSA's "money made clear" website also has information on Christmas saving schemes.
	Finally, on the recommendation relating to Government awareness of all methods of savings, the new wealth and assets survey is collecting information on informal saving. Interim findings from the first wave of data collection will be published by the end of the year.

Tradeshow Access Programme

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many applications the Tradeshow Access Programme received in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; how many it has received in 2007-08; and how many his Department forecasted for the financial year 2007-08.

Gareth Thomas: The number of participants that received financial support at overseas exhibitions under the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP), or its predecessor Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad (SESA), between the dates requested are as follows:
	
		
			Participants 
			 2005-06 SESA 6,400 
			 2006-07 TAP 4,390 
			 2007-08 TAP (1)3,279 
			 (1) Applications received as of end August 2007. Not all of which will result in grant. 
		
	
	The revised forecast for the financial year 2007-08 was to support 3,400 businesses.

Class Sizes: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the teacher-pupil ratio was in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The following table provides the overall pupil teacher ratio within maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in local authority areas within London, January 2003 to 2007.
	
		
			  Overall( 1)  Pupil/Teacher ratios by local authority area within London 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 England 17.9 17.7 17.4 17.2 17.1 
			 London 17.2 17.2 16.8 16.7 16.6 
			 Camden 15.9 15.7 16.0 15.6 15.2 
			 City of London 11.9 14.3 14.3 16.2 16.7 
			 Hackney 16.3 16.2 15.5 15.8 14.8 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 16.4 16.3 15.7 16.0 16.5 
			 Haringey 17.3 17.5 16.5 16.5 16.8 
			 Islington 16.9 16.3 16.1 15.9 15.7 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 15.0 16.0 15.9 15.5 15.5 
			 Lambeth 17.2 16.9 15.8 16.4 15.9 
			 Lewisham 16.7 17.1 17.4 17.7 17.7 
			 Newham 18.1 17.0 17.1 16.5 16.5 
			 Southwark 17.1 17.4 17.4 17.3 16.7 
			 Tower Hamlets 16.0 16.4 16.2 15.8 15.3 
			 Wandsworth 16.7 16.5 16.1 16.3 16.0 
			 Westminster 14.4 14 7 13.4 15.7 15.1 
			 Barking and Dagenham 18.0 17.2 17.8 17.7 17.4 
			 Barnet 16.3 16.7 16.6 16.4 16.8 
			 Bexley 18.7 18.9 19.5 18.5 18.1 
			 Brent 16.8 16.7 15.6 16.1 15.9 
			 Bromley 18.0 18.0 17.4 17.1 16.9 
			 Croydon 16.9 17.0 16.2 17.4 17.7 
			 Ealing 17.9 18.1 17.6 17.8 17.7 
			 Enfield 16.8 16.8 16.4 16.1 16.3 
			 Greenwich 16.5 16.7 16.3 15.7 15.2 
			 Harrow 17.9 17.8 17.5 16.9 16.4 
			 Havering 17.2 17.0 17.1 16.3 16.6 
			 Hillingdon 18.8 17.5 17.0 16.8 16.6 
			 Hounslow 17.3 16.5 16.0 16.0 16 1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 17.7 17.8 17.5 17.5 17.3 
			 Merton 178 19.0 18.1 18,3 18.6 
			 Redbridge 18.0 17.8 18.1 17.2 17.2 
			 Richmond upon Thames 17.8 18.6 18.6 17.9 19.0 
			 Sutton 17.6 18.5 17.9 17.5 17.0 
			 Waltham Forest 18.4 17.5 17.0 16.9 16.8 
			 (1) The overall PTR is based on the total FTE number of pupils on roil in local authority maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools and the FTE of all teachers in these schools (including: centrally employed; occasional teachers; those on employment based routes to QTS; others without QTS, those on paid absence and any replacements). Source: School Census (Pupils numbers) and 618G Survey (Teacher numbers)

Curriculum: First Aid

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will include the teaching of first aid within the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 10 October 2007
	There is already scope in the non-statutory Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) framework for schools to explore safety and emergency procedures as part of the curriculum. At key stages 2 and 3, the framework suggests pupils should be taught "basic emergency procedures and where to get help and support". At key stage 4 pupils should be taught to "develop skills to cope with emergency situations that require basic aid procedures, including resuscitation techniques".
	Basic and emergency aid will continue to be part of the non-statutory framework when the new secondary curriculum is introduced from September 2008.

Education: Citizenship

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what contribution his Department made to the National Foundation for Education Research's Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study; what steps he intends to take in response to its conclusions; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the statutory citizenship courses in schools.

Jim Knight: The Department has provided £1.57 million to fund the National Foundation for Education Research's nine year longitudinal study into citizenship education due to be completed in November 2009. The findings from this study and the Ofsted Citizenship report "Towards Consensus? Citizenship in secondary schools" (2006) have helped to shape policy in this area. Both reports found that whilst remaining patchy in some areas, progress has been made In citizenship provision and it is adequate or better in 75 per cent. of schools. The Department has funded a self evaluation tool for schools to enable them to strengthen their citizenship provision.
	Both reports point to teacher training continuing to be needed. We are addressing this issue both through providing places for initial teacher training (200 per year) and through the citizenship continuing professional development certificate (1200 teachers over the next two years).

Education: Citizenship

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of teachers teaching citizenship who have not received citizenship-related training;
	(2)  what plans he has to recruit and retain teachers who specialise in teaching citizenship.

Jim Knight: The Department does not monitor all training courses undertaken by teachers, for example those provided by local authorities and commercial providers. We have made available over 200 ITT places per year for the last five years, and the published a CPD handbook for use by citizenship teachers. The Department has also supported a national dissemination effort to support provide training on use of the handbook. Additionally, we are funding 1,200 citizenship continuing professional development (CPD) places in higher education institutions over 2006-07 and 2007-08 to enable citizenship teachers to broaden and deepen their subject knowledge. The CPD course will, be evaluated by Ofsted. We continue to support the Association of Citizenship Teachers and work with a range of organisations to provide resources and support for teachers.

Education: Languages

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance he has given to local education authorities on teaching foreign languages; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: We have not issued formal guidance to local authorities on teaching languages but we have produced a range of guidance and support materials for schools which are disseminated to local authority language advisers through our networks—including the key stage 2 framework for languages and new schemes of work for primary schools. We have allocated £27.5 million funding to local authorities to support the delivery of primary languages in 2007-08 arid the National Director for Languages wrote to each local authority with suggested models for using this funding.
	The Secondary National Strategy and GILT, the National Centre for Languages have worked with local authorities to create 355 networks of secondary schools which are building on the key stage 3 framework guidance to raise achievement and improve teaching and learning at KS3.

Politics: Curriculum

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will take steps to support  (a) hon. Members,  (b) Parliament's Education Service and  (c) local authorities in the contributions that they make to the teaching in schools of the political literacy strand of the citizenship curriculum.

Jim Knight: The Department has funded a number of initiatives to promote political literacy through citizenship and to support MPs that wish to be more involved in schools. Working with the Hansard Society and the parliamentary education unit, we have supported the development of the MPs in Schools pack, which prepares pupils for a visit from their local MP. The Hansard Society, with DCSF backing, has also developed the "Headsup" website, an online forum that assists teachers in delivering political literacy, and also MPs who can use it to consult with their younger constituents; the "Big Ben" and "All That! teaching resource, which gives teachers and pupils an inside view of Westminster through Interviews with MPs and Peers as well as archived footage from Parliament; and "Y Vote Mock Elections", which aim to actively engage students with the electoral process. DCSF has also funded a programme of MP mentoring, where MPs work directly with trainee citizenship teachers to help them with their knowledge of Parliament so that they can teach the political literacy element of citizenship with confidence. In addition, DCSF set up and funded the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) to work with teachers and local authorities to provide training and help to spread good practice.

Pupils: Mathematics

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to allow pupils who have not mastered basic numeracy skills  (a) to have extra tuition and  (b) not to be required to take GCSE in mathematics.

Jim Knight: The Department is planning two separate, but related one-to-one tuition programmes, which are designed to raise standards in mathematics:
	one-to-one tuition to help 300,000 children who have fallen behind in mathematics by 2010-11. We are currently planning how this should be delivered and will use lessons learned from the tuition element of the Making Good Progress pilot, and from other existing individual intervention programmes, to inform this.
	'Every Child Counts' (ECC), a more intensive initiative specifically designed for intervention in mathematics during Key Stage 1, which will be a counterpart to 'Every Child a Reader' (ECAR).
	Under the Making Good Progress pilot we are offering up to 10 hours of one to one tuition in mathematics for pupils who are behind, or at risk of falling behind, national expectations. Tuition will be delivered outside school hours by fully qualified teachers working in partnership with the class teacher.
	ECC, set to start in 2010, will be aimed at children whose attainment as six-year-olds shows they are failing to make expected progress for their age. In Year 2, they will get intensive support in half hour sessions each day from teachers, mostly provided one-to-one, but also through group work.
	We are investing £144 million over the next three years into rolling out nationally ECAR and ECC and by 2011 30,000 seven-year-olds who need help with mathematics will benefit from the programme each year. We are working with the charitable KPMG Foundation on this programme.
	Mathematics is a compulsory subject at Key Stage 4. It is not compulsory for students to be entered for the GCSE, though achievement in GCSE mathematics is an Important gateway to opportunities for further study and employment and we therefore expect the vast majority of young people to be entered for it. As part of our 14-19 reform programme we have developed new functional skills standards at entry level and levels 1 and 2 in mathematics which will be incorporated into all qualification routes (GCSE, Diplomas and Apprenticeships) and will also form the basis of freestanding qualifications. The freestanding qualifications will provide opportunities for achievement and progression in mathematics for those young people for whom a GCSE might not be the most appropriate option at the end of Key Stage 4.

Schools: Admissions

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of secondary school pupils in each London borough secured a place at their parents'  (a) first,  (b) second and  (c) third choice of secondary school in each academic year since 1997.

Jim Knight: We do not currently hold this data However, my officials are currently consulting on draft regulations which will enable us to have this information in future. The consultation document is available on the DCSF website at:
	www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consulationld=1506

Schools: Sports

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of secondary schools offer at least  (a) two hours and  (b) five hours of supervised sport for pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 each week.

Kevin Brennan: Information is not collected in the format requested. The 2006/07 School Sport Survey collected data from all maintained schools in England about the percentage of pupils who take part in at least two hours high quality PE and school sport each week. The results of the survey are being published today. They show that 92 per cent. of pupils in year 7 are taking part in at least two hours high qualify PE and sport each week. For year 8 pupils, the figure is 91 per cent., and for year 9 pupils, the figure is 86 per cent.
	Data on take-up of five hours of sport is not collected centrally.
	Copies of the results of the survey are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Afghanistan: Foreign Relations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the case for appointing an International Coordinator for Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK was instrumental in the adoption of the Afghanistan Compact, which recognises the central co-ordinating role exercised by the UN, We have long supported the need for the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to provide effective co-ordination for the international community's effort in Afghanistan and continue to do so.

Alexander Litvinenko

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in Government efforts to seek the extradition from Russia of Mr Andrei Lugovoy in connection with the murder of Mr Alexander Litvinenko.

David Miliband: Since I made my statement to the House on 16 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 21-22 on a package of measures in response to Russia's failure to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, I have raised the matter on a number of occasions both with my Russian counterpart and with other partners. We continue to demand the Russian authorities co-operate with the Crown Prosecution Service's request for the extradition of Mr. Lugovoi so that he can stand trial in the UK.

Andrei Lugovoi: Extradition

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place between his Department and the Russian Government on the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi; what recent progress has occurred on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorkshire) (Mr. Hague) today (UIN 157529).

Departments: Ministers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total estimated annual cost is of  (a) expenses,  (b) salary,  (c) office space,  (d) administrative support and  (e) special advisers for the Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN.

Jim Murphy: The estimated annual cost of the office space for my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, is £50,967.10, similar to that incurred in the previous year. This figure includes management fees, business rates, tax and the cost of utilities. Based on average earnings, the estimated cost of administrative support, which is the combined salaries of five staff, is £192,581. Administrative costs for the previous year are estimated at £186,322.
	Details of ministerial salaries are available in the Library of the House and at: http://wwwcivil service.gov.uk/other/parliamentary/pay/ministerial/index.asp. The Minister does not have a special adviser.
	Like all Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers, right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown will have travel and other expenses associated with performing his ministerial duties. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the "Civil Service Management Code" and the "Ministerial Code".

Departments: Public Expenditure

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) near cash and  (b) non-cash administration cost limit for his Department is for financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Jim Murphy: The information requested is set out at table B15 of meeting the aspirations of the British people: 2007 pre-Budget report and Comprehensive Spending Review (Cm 7227), copies of which are in the Library of the House. Separate near- and non-cash limits for administration budgets are not specified as KM Treasury control limits.

Ethiopia: Political Prisoners

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in the case of the Ethiopian anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, who are currently in gaol.

Jim Murphy: We have raised the case of Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie with the Ethiopian Government on numerous occasions. Most recently my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, raised it with the Ethiopian ambassador to London on 23 August and again with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on 27 September.
	On 9 October, the presiding judge adjourned the trial until 22 November to consider both sides' concluding remarks. We will continue to press the Ethiopian authorities for a quick and transparent trial process.

EU Reform: Treaties

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes there have been between the latest draft of the EU reform treaty and the previous draft.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 15 October 2007
	The latest draft of the reform treaty includes technical amendments as a result of discussions in the intergovernmental conference legal working group, including technical points on the UK's joint home affairs protocol following my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's oral evidence session with the Foreign Affairs Committee on 10 October, he agreed to write to the Committee and place in the Library of the House a document setting out how the Government's red lines are reflected in the latest draft of the reform treaty.

Iraq: Resettlement

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government to inform Iraqi staff  (a) working for and  (b) who formerly worked for the Government that they are eligible for assistance from the UK.

David Miliband: We have held meetings with our locally-engaged staff in Iraq to inform them of the written ministerial statement I made on 9 October,  Official Report, columns 27-28WS, and to hear their views. We will inform serving Iraqi staff of the full details of the scheme once these are announced. We plan a wide range of measures to ensure that former staff who meet the eligibility criteria have the best possible chance of hearing about the scheme,

Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of progress in implementing the UN Security Council resolution on the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the progress of the Contact Group in resolving the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: UN Security Council Resolution 1244 provides a framework for a political process to decide Kosovo's future status. That process is ongoing. The UN Special Envoy for Kosovo submitted a comprehensive proposal for a status settlement on 26 March 2007. This was accepted by Pristina, but rejected by Belgrade. As a further effort to achieve a negotiated settlement, the Contact Group established a Troika whose task is to facilitate a period of further discussion between the parties. The Troika process will be concluded by the Contact Group reporting to the UN Secretary General by 10 December.
	Contact Group Ministers met in New York on 27 September. They reiterated that an early resolution of Kosovo's status is crucial to the stability and security of the Western Balkans. They endorsed fully the UN Secretary General's assessment that the status quo is not sustainable. They expressed full support for the Troika process.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's objectives for the forthcoming international Conference on the middle east peace process to be held by the United States of America.

David Miliband: The upcoming US-hosted international meeting will be key to moving the peace process forward. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 8 October 2007,  Official Report, column 24:
	"we would like to see an agreement that puts the Israelis and Palestinians on a path to real negotiations in 2008 leading to a final settlement of two states living side by side in peace and security."

Palestinians: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 2212-3W, on Palestinians: politics and government, what decisions have been made on the future UK contribution to strengthening the Palestinian security forces; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, said previously, we are committed to security sector reform and will continue to work with President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad to strengthen the Palestinian security forces. We welcome the steps that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has taken to improve security and stand ready to help where we can.
	We are working closely with the PA and the US security coordinator, General Dayton. We continue to provide a police adviser, training adviser and military liaison officer to his team. We fully support the EU civil police training mission and welcome its proposed expansion. We are currently reviewing our support to the security sector and are working with the PA and international partners to identify opportunities. We will keep the House informed.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in  (a) Darfur and  (b) Kardofan.

Jim Murphy: Sudan remains a top international priority for the UK. The UN Security Council unanimously agreed a UK sponsored resolution authorising a hybrid UN and African Union (AU) peacekeeping force. The UN and AU have also set a date for political talks for Darfur in Libya at the end of this month.
	Despite this, the situation in Darfur remains precarious. In recent days, there has been more violence against the people of Darfur and against the AU peacekeepers sent there to protect them. Humanitarian access is shrinking.
	We are pressing the UN and AU to deploy the hybrid force fully, rapidly and effectively. We have called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities in Darfur, not to escalate regional tensions by mounting attacks in Kordofan or any other region outside Darfur, and attend political talks starting later this month.
	We have a responsibility to show the people of Darfur the benefits of peace. We have made clear that when political and security conditions are right, we will work with others in the international community to ensure there is a viable recovery programme for Darfur that enables people to rebuild their lives.